Tag Archives: White House

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What the Small Biz Jobs Act will do for you!!!

09/28/2010 Nativegrl77

President Obama just signed the Small Business Jobs Act into law — providing immediate incentives for businesses to make new investments, expand, and hire new employees.

Starting today, millions of small business owners will be eligible for up to eight new tax cuts, and within weeks, thousands of businesses will finally have access to the credit they desperately need.

The bill also includes key provisions the President has fought for since the beginning of this year:

— Small businesses receive a tax write-off on the first $500,000 of new equipment investments;
— More than a million eligible small businesses will be able to make key long-term investments that are subject to zero capital gains taxes;
— Entrepreneurs who take a chance on a new idea can deduct the first $10,000 of start-up costs; and
— The self-employed can deduct 100 percent of the cost of health insurance for themselves and their families from self-employment taxes.

This legislation is an important part of President Obama’s and the Democrats’ plan to move our economy forward — and it reinforces the crucial choice facing voters in the upcoming election.

Will you forward this email to the small business owners you know to help spread the word about the change we’re making?

Last week, Republicans chose to unveil their “Pledge to America” at the site of the small business Tart Lumber Company in Sterling, Virginia.

Although their pledge mentions small businesses 18 times, it took less than five hours for congressional Republicans to return to the Capitol to vote against this relief for small businesses.

During this difficult time, it’s critical that we continue to fight for every American job, every American small business, and every chance to boost America’s economy.

Instead, Republicans have shown they’re comfortable putting partisan politics ahead of hard-working families and businesses — even those, like Tart Lumber, that they happily use for political grandstanding.

It’s wrong. But we’re proving once again that, together, we can defeat partisan obstructionism, and today we celebrate a great victory for America’s small businesses.

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

P.S. — Have questions about the bill? This Wednesday, September 29th, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the White House and OPEN Forum are holding a live Q&A on the impact of this and similar legislation on small businesses. Tune in Wednesday at this link: http://www.openforum.com/whitehouse

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A message from Sen.Al Franken

09/28/2010 Nativegrl77

Sen. Al Franken recorded a video for you.

Your support for Elizabeth Warren made a difference

Watch the thank you video from Sen. Al Franken and then share your thoughts with Elizabeth Warren about what priorities you think the new CFPB should work on first.

Sen. Al Franken recorded a video thanking you for your hard work standing up for Elizabeth Warren, who will now oversee the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In her new role, Professor Warren pledges to be a fierce advocate for consumers and rein in the reckless behavior of Wall Street bankers.

Without support from you and other progressive activists, she would have never been appointed. And she needs our continued pressure to hold the White House, the Treasury Department and Wall Street accountable to consumers.

This is big, and you helped make it happen.

Check out Sen. Franken’s video by clicking here.

In the video, Sen. Franken invites you to share your priorities on what the new bureau should work on first. We are working with our friends at the Progress Change Campaign Committee to make sure Professor Warren gets your thoughts.

You can watch the video and share your thoughts by clicking here.

Thanks for helping protect consumers.

Adam Quinn, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action

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Here is your AFSCME Federal Legislative Report

09/25/2010 Nativegrl77

Welcome to the AFSCME Federal Legislative Report which is produced by the Legislation Department weekly when Congress is in session. We hope you find this report as valuable as we do in keeping up to date on significant action by the U.S. Congress affecting AFSCME members. We know when we work together as a team we accomplish more for AFSCME members across the country.

Gerald W. McEntee, President
Lee A. Saunders, Secretary-Treasurer

AFSCME LEGISLATIVE REPORT
SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

To view on the AFSCME website, click here

In this issue:

Republican House Members Release “Pledge” to Return to Failed Policies
Senate Takes Up Campaign Finance Legislation – Again
Democrats Vote to Protect Labor Elections Rules
Republicans Block Repeal to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Congress Fails to Approve Multiyear FAA Bill

Republican House Members Release “Pledge” to Return to Failed Policies

On Thursday, House Republicans unveiled their pre-election campaign document, “A Pledge to America,” which is modeled after Newt Gingrich‘s 1994’s Contract with America. For the most part, it is set of warmed over, failed ideas aimed at voters for the midterm elections in November.

The document’s jobs and economy section calls for more tax cuts for millionaires and businesses by retaining all of the Bush tax cuts, rejecting President Obama’s plan to eliminate tax cuts for those earning above $250,000 to capture $830 billion in revenues. It calls for slashing spending by cutting the federal budget back to 2008 spending levels, which would mean a 21 percent reduction in yearly-appropriated programs including more than $8 billion in cuts in K-12 education and significant reductions for Head Start, child care, public safety, unemployment insurance and Employment Services, transportation, and other vital public services that AFSCME members provide. House Republicans also support canceling unspent Recovery Act funds, including the increased federal Medicaid match (FMAP) that now is available to states through June 30, 2011 and cannot be drawn down by states any faster than quarterly.

Not surprisingly, the document calls for a repeal of health care reform, putting insurance companies back in control. This would result in ending safeguards against skyrocketing premium increases, increasing the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, abandoning initiatives to improve health care, and ensuring that the ranks of the uninsured continue to grow. Instead, the House Republicans offer a litany of retread, failed ideas including expanding health savings accounts, allowing individuals to purchase health insurance across state lines, and medical malpractice reform.

The “Pledge” takes a swipe at the Employee Free Choice Act, stating: “We will fight for the rights of workers and oppose ‘card check’ schemes that put union bosses before individuals’ right to a secret ballot.” It requires that all federal legislation cite the constitutional authority upon which the bill is justified (another jab at health reform), makes it easier to strip spending out of appropriations bills, and proposes increased spending for national security, including fully funding missile defense.

The plan has been roundly criticized by the White House and congressional Democrats as “nothing more than a repackaging of the same failed special interest policies that caused this recession: cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires; cut rules for big corporations and special interests and leave the middle class to fend for itself” and “giv[ing] insurance companies control over Americans’ health care.

Rather than charting a new course, it is a continuation of the failed Bush economic policies. Interestingly, the plan says little about Social Security and Medicare, including Republicans’ privatization schemes, probably in recognition that this is a political third rail.
(Fran Bernstein- fbernstein@afscme.org)

Senate Takes Up Campaign Finance Legislation – Again

Thursday, Senate Democrats took another shot at moving their flawed version of the DISCLOSE Act (S. 3628) campaign finance legislation aimed at addressing the U.S. Supreme Court‘s decision in the Citizen’s United case. Fortunately, the bill failed to garner the 60 votes needed to begin debate. The vote was 59 to 39, with all Republicans opposing the bill and all Democrats supporting it.

While AFSCME supports reasonable requirements for disclosures and disclaimers of the Union’s political and advocacy activities, we were forced to oppose the Senate bill due to extraordinarily burdensome requirements it would impose on AFSCME affiliates.

Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill creates substantial burdens for AFSCME affiliates for the mere act of transferring membership dues to AFSCME. While the bill does not require local unions and state affiliates to make reports to the Federal Election Commission, the bill does require AFSCME to report on revenues received by affiliates and to do so within a 24-hour deadline. In order for AFSCME to make these reports, it would be necessary for affiliates to provide information on its revenue sources during the previous year and to do so quickly enough for AFSCME to meet the 24-hour deadline. The bill includes civil and criminal penalties for violating the reporting requirements

The House previously approved its version of the DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 5175). It does not create burdensome requirements for AFSCME affiliates.
(Barbara Coufal- bcoufal@afscme.org)

Democrats Vote to Protect Labor Election Rules

Senate Democrats defeated a resolution of disapproval that proposed rejecting the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) amended election rules for airline and rail union elections. The resolution would have overturned revised union election procedures recently issued by the NMB under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The new rule makes clear that representation elections under the RLA will be decided based on whether a majority of the votes cast are for or against the union. Under the previous NMB rule, all workers who did not cast a ballot were counted as voting against the union. The changes, which went into effect on July 1, advanced a simple democratic proposition: the majority opinion of workers who participate should decide the election.

The challenge to the National Mediation Board’s updated union election procedures was led by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) in an attempt to undo reforms that are giving tens of thousands of airline and rail workers the hope of a union fighting for them for improved wages and retirement security. Earlier in the day, President Obama issued a statement that he would veto the resolution if it passed.
(Cynthia Bradley- cbradley@afscme.org)

Republicans Block Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

This week, Senate Republicans blocked an attempt to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy that prohibits gays and lesbians from openly serving in the U.S. military. By a vote of 56-43 Democrats lost an attempt to have a vote on the Defense Authorization Act, which contains language repealing DADT. The Democrats fell below the 60 votes needed to proceed. The Arkansas Democrats, Sens. Blanche L. Lincoln and Mark Pryor, sided with all 40 Republicans present in opposing debate.
(Cynthia Bradley- cbradley@afscme.org)

Congress Fails to Approve Multiyear FAA Bill

On September 23, the House and Senate both passed clean extensions for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the end of the calendar year. This action sends a clear signal that approving a multiyear reauthorization of the FAA bill will not happen before Congress adjourns in October.
(Cynthia Bradley- cbradley@afscme.org)

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This is health reform

09/23/2010 Nativegrl77

Organizing for America

After a century of struggle and a year of debate, health insurance reform became law six months ago today — and this week, key provisions of the Affordable Care Act take effect.

This is possible only because you — and millions of Organizing for America supporters and volunteers — stood up and said, enough. Even when the fight seemed all but lost, we continued to organize, call Congress, knock on doors, and do everything we could to keep reform alive.

But behind these historic changes are real people and real families. Their stories are important reminders that health reform couldn’t wait — and we can’t give up on moving this country forward. Too much is at stake.

Meet Patrick, Kay, and Kristin:

			Patrick is a single dad in Rockport, Maine. When he lost his job as a boat builder, he lost his health coverage, and paid out of pocket when his 14-year-old daughter required surgery for scoliosis. Pat has since found a new job, and because insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children on the basis of pre-existing conditions, his daughter Katie is now insured. “If it wasn’t for proper medical insurance, we never would have had the doctors she had. I feel like President Obama did it just for us.” Now, Pat can take Katie to the doctor without worrying about falling deeper into debt. “It’s about time someone, anyone, stood up for the things that mattered.”

			Kay is a small business owner in Evansville, Indiana. Every year she sees premiums soar and searches for more affordable options. “Even with us paying half the premiums, we have employees who cannot afford the health insurance and go without. They feel like they are constantly living on the edge — hoping that neither they nor their children will face an illness or injury that will bankrupt them.” The small business tax credit in the Affordable Care Act will help Kay continue to ensure her employees can get the coverage they need.

			Kristin is a recent grad living in Scottsdale, Arizona. Last year, she was told that the cost of staying on her parents’ plan after graduating would skyrocket to $500 a month. “Staying on my mother’s plan would have been a great option now! But that was in the spring of last year, before any health reform had passed.” Now, young people like Kristin will be able to remain on their parents’ insurance at the same rate until finding work or turning 26 — eliminating what can be a costly gap in coverage.

Today, we also celebrate an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses, like rescinding coverage when someone needs it most. Those previously considered uninsurable because of a pre-existing condition — 400,000 Americans — now have access to insurance through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. And all new health plans must now provide free preventive care, like mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, and pre-natal care.

Millions will see expanded benefits — and more control over the care they receive.

This is real change. And there are stories like these all over America. Check out a few more — including a video of one woman’s surprise call from the President — at the White House‘s site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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wild Wednesday &some News

09/22/2010 Nativegrl77

Today, we have a full moon, it’s the last day of summer and a whole lot of sunshine is still expected in the 206. The people of Seattle are excited that President Obama not only called the Seattle Storm to congratulate them for their 2^nd WNBA title but they have been invited to the White House. In other news; some new rules from the work the Democratic Party did to reform health care will start today. The President will be announcing how our new health care laws will help you out if you have children in college explain how your insurance can no longer drop you based on your illness and more. Which by the way starts 9.23.2010

We Democrats are in the fight for our lives …we not only have to beat back the Media but comments coming from folks on the floor of Congress like McCain,Mitchell and others have the guts to lie and wait for someone to challenge them… McCain says S.3454 was a ploy Mitchell says they “Dems” are trying to sedate their base the special interest groups.

I would like to respond to the nasty man McConnell & McCains comment about S.3454 beingin a political ploy …. God i hope so because it’s clear Republicans don’t give a shit about Americans in general to have voted no on every piece of legislation that would have gotten us closer to the improvement folks are now complaining about… To be sure the problem standing in the way of progress ? Republicans!!! Ask your Republican member of Congress if they voted yes to any legislation that would have helped get the middle class back on track.

In my need to constantly express how important it is that our Democratic Party get energy needed to throw down with votes in November. The difference between the two Political Parties is evident but we have major obstacles when it comes to getting our message into the airwaves. The media has made a decision to go with controversy instead of what used to be called fair and balanced News information making it quite likely that folks do not get or care to listen to the facts about why we are all still suffering. This election year is important because we need more true Democrats on the floor of Congress to get that change 53% voted for in 2008. We need to help not make it hard on our party; we are the change we have all been looking for and though folks may be down about the crap being done or lack there of; sitting this election year out is totally unacceptable and will only hurt our case and our future. The November elections are only six weeks away and people who are not registered to vote should; you are obligated to. I am not going to ask that you vote my way, that usually is on the agenda of anyone asking for people to register to vote… my guess is that we all see what is going on, have some sense of right and wrong, watched what happened on 9/11, Katrina, Africa, the BP mess, the constant rhetoric that seems not only racists but folks are not just right of center those who seemed moderate are now going hard right with an ideology that seems to speak out against those of us in Protected Classes. If so, We need to Unite and vote this creeps out of office in November because unless and until we do the talk will move into action and that needless to say will be against families in this 21^st Century, against progress of and for All Americans not just a select few Newt, Limbaugh beck and the others are talking about. I have been a democrat forever and feel that ultimately the things going on are all non-partisan realities, that the 2 party thing needs to end because we are all in this together and can all be taken out as well. It goes without saying we are all affected by bad air, bad roads, health care, heart attacks, low wages, bad education, wars. It seems like the 2party system is not working for anyone and when the majority has trouble passing legislation it begs the question maybe something needs to change. I know it is not just me feeling that the filibuster and the 60vote rule need to go or at least be changed to majority rules. I use to think maybe we should end our 2 party system and just vote on the person who seems to be the most qualified to do the job. Then our economy collapsed and the good bad and really ugly side of people became worse as our Public Servants decided to throw Americans under the bus with an agenda to regain control of Congress. It is not lost on me but maybe it is on Republican constituents that folks on the right do not even seem to care if their own followers have jobs, have unemployment, keep Teachers in place or that the streets will continue to be monitored because … People your Republican Representatives voted no to HR1586 some even called it a bailout …If anyone had sense who is currently calling themselves a Republican would without a blink vote for the Democratic party but instead crazy people are being voted into possible positions of power some are by default and all this madness we see on tv has gotten me scared as a mom, person of colour and as female who believe in the right to choose believes that women should get equal pay for equal work and the rhetoric should have more people outraged and ready for November because it is a pivotal moment.

I know that Republicans cannot be counted on to solve discrimination, reform immigration laws that are silly, stop the poor from getting poorer, stop tax breaks that benefit the rich, oil drilling that threaten to damage our environment, reform education that seems to be compromised, government officials that are crooks, big companies allowed to rip the American worker of all it was working for, laws that can tell people what they do behind closed doors makes them unacceptable and unable to have equality, women who do the same or similar job as men but get paid .77 on the dollar, colleges, offices, businesses that by- pass racial balance, police that participate in racial profiling, we live in a system that has different laws for different states, maybe future laws will at least be updated, those that are ridiculous omitted and the balance of the rule of law will be placed on the same level in each and every state. Republicans are the problem in my opinion.

We the people seem too quiet- too complacent.

just saying

Other News …

**Seattle Storm wins 2nd title;President Obama calls and they will visit the WH

**Seattle will have to pay 20extra on tabs to pay for the Sea Wall replacement

CSPAN …